This is the post excerpt.
When God is determined to better your lot. He moves Heaven and Earth in your favour. This is the best season of your life, because you’re just about to experience the supernatural to the second degree. Enjoy your reading!
We have heard great teachings on Faith. Faith honours God, God honours Faith. Wherever you find God, faith put him there. Without Faith, it is impossible to please God. These all are undoubtedly true. However, little is been said about the damaging effect of fears and worries. You’ve been lied to that your future looks bleak considering your circumstances and challenges. Even the presently successful ones are afraid that things may take a negative turn. Your fears are the liars! Most times, the things we fear never really would have happened, but our worries and fear bring them to pass.
Just like faith is a positive energy, fear is a negative energy. When we are in fear, we worry, and worry is a magnet that attracts negative conditions. Never make a decision based on fear, and never fear to make a decision. Look into the future with high hopes,
believe that God brought you out of the odds to take you into his promised land of bliss. I read a sad story about Ron Wayne, one of the original co-founders of Apple Corporation – a company that started in 1, April 1976.
Ron Wayne, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were the original Apple founders. Wayne actually designed the Company’s original logo which has since evolved into what we have come to know as the forbidden fruit that looks like Adam and Eve took a bite of. Wayne also wrote the original Apple manual and drew up the start-up company’s partnership agreement.
Wayne was actually set up for financial success and the original agreement gave him a 10% ownership stake in Apple, a company which today is worth $945 billion – almost a trillion dollars. Wayne position from that agreement would have been worth some tens of billions of dollars today. But his fears got in the way. He was afraid that Jobs wild spending and Wozniak life of bling would cause Apple to flop. Wayne, the oldest of the three stepped down from his role of being the “mature one” in the bunch. He took a bite out of the Apple and left the company after only 11 days of its existence. Why was Wayne more worried than the duo of Jobs and Wozniak? Because he was the only one with assets that creditors could seize; so he sold back his own shares for $800. Yes! You heard me right, just $800. Sadly today, Wayne is worth only $300 thousand dollars – all because of the fear of uncertain future.
When you are ruled by fear, you’ll find yourself unable to make the very changes that will eliminate that fear. An old man was asked what had robbed him of joy in his life. He said, the things he feared which never happened. Work hard toward an enviable future. Believe that as you move towards that future, it approaches you too. Take doubt out. I hear people say, “giving the benefit of doubt.” Please understand that doubt has no benefit. Every time the fear of the unknown wants to get in the way, say like David, “When I am afraid O LORD Almighty, I put my trust in you. I trust in God and am not afraid. I praise Him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me” (Psalms 56:3-4 GNT).
People say “had I known” out of regret. When you don’t know what you ought to, you suffer for not knowing. Ignorance is not an excuse. God Himself said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” Jerusalem suffered desolation because she did not know what is ordained unto her peace. In the entire Bible, Jesus wept only twice. The first was for love – he loved Lazarus, so he wept when he was told that his friend was dead. The second time he wept was when he bemoaned Jerusalem’s ignorance of her spiritual state. He said if only Jerusalem had known, she would not have suffered the impending desolation (Luke19:42).
Anytime you have people say ‘had I known, they came to a realization when it was too late. Somebody had the money to start the business, but the idea never crossed his mind until he squandered the money. Then he says “my goodness, I had the capital but it did not occur to me until now”. Unusually someone is connected to the grace that will boost his journey to destiny, but he took the relationship for granted until the opportunity was lost. He says “had I known”. Most of the regrets we have today is related to lack of revelation.
However, to know, the eye of your spirit will have to be opened. If your spiritual eyes are continually opened, there would never be a cause to regret any more in your life. Luke 24:16 says “… their eyes were held that they should not know…” It is therefore certain that knowledge is mutually associated with revelation. It takes opened eye to triumph over ignorance. It is worse to be spiritually blind than being physically blind.
The destiny of Ishmael was hanging between life and death. His mother had already given up on him. The blessing pronounced on him by Abraham seemed gloomy and not forthcoming but the boy cried unto God and He responded by opening the eyes of his mother to see the well of water. The spring from that well, hijacked his destiny from decadence and turned everything around for Ishmael (Genesis 21: 14-19).
One of the best prayers you will ever say is for the eye of your understanding to be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling upon your life and what is the riches of His glorious inheritance in His people ( Ephesians 1:18). Another prayer is like the first: that God might open the eyes of the helpers of your destiny – not only to locate you, but also to know what role they have to play for your story to change for the better.
Ishmael cried, God opened the eyes of Hagar. Mary Magdalene was between life and death, God opened the eyes of His son Jesus in favour of Mary. “Let him who is without sin be the first to cast a stone” was a result of opened eye. That revelation was the salvation of Mary. Every team member should pray for the eyes of the team leader to be opened. Everything starts and ends with leadership. A single burning candle can light up ten thousand more. May you live above regrets the rest of your life
The disciples of Jesus were confused as to what to do to feed a great multitude that followed Him. But according to John 6:6, the bible records that “…Jesus Himself knew what He would do”. The eyes of His spirit was ever opened and as a result, He was never stranded. May this be the new order of experience for you in Jesus’ name. It’s a new dawn for you! There shall be no more regrets the rest of your life in Jesus’ name – because your eyes are hereby opened!
Angel Gabriel told Daniel that, “…from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words (Daniel 10:12).” God hears our prayers but Angels carry out the delivery of the answers. The Angels of God excel in strength, they do His commandments – hearkening unto the voice of his word (Psalm 103:20). When we pray according to the Word of God (which is the will of God), Angels swing into action. God has no business with the delivery of answers to prayers, Angels do.
But as for praise, No angel is bold enough to withstand the praise of God. Apostle John ignorantly tempted an Angel by worshipping him. In quick response, the angel told him “…See thou do it not…worship God (Rev. 19:10).” It sounded like “don’t put me in trouble!” Because God has said, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8).” As almighty and all-powerful as He is, God leaves heaven to attend to the praise of His people. The Bible states that, God inhabits the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). If you want a swift response to your concern, approach God’s throne directly in praise.
In Acts 12:5, “Peter …was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” God sent an angel to free him. Nothing happened to the ground of the prison – every other prisoner remained handcuffed and shackled in legs, except for Peter. Conversely, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises aloud, there was an earthquake because the earth could not withstand the weight of its maker who had just entered into the prison to receive his praise (Acts 16:26). Because with God is plenteous redemption, everyone’s chain was broken. The prison became heaven where no captive is held.
This is my emphasis, Angels respond to prayers, God respond to praises! I want you to think well this season of your life, then you can thank well. You have a thousand and one reason to thank God. Don’t see what He hasn’t done, focus on what He has done. Be like that 78 years old man who was rushed to the hospital having collapsed, he was placed on oxygen for 24 hours to sustain him. When he got better, the doctor gave him a bill of £500 oxygen for a day. He saw the bill and started to cry, the doctor told him he could pay it in instalment. His response, “I’m not crying because of the money, I can pay all in cash. I’m crying because for just 24 hours of using the oxygen I’m to pay £500. But I have been breathing God’s free air for 78 years. If I’m to pay do you know how much I owe?” We are all eternally indebted to God. Stop petitioning heaven, show some appreciation. Invoke God’s presence in praise. When you secure His presence, present your request. I can assure you, He won’t send an angel, He will do it rapidly for you.
he Children of Israel eat manna till they got to the border of Canaan. That bread of heaven would have taken them through into the Promised Land but they gave up too soon and lusted for the quail that consumed many of them. Most people quit right on the verge of success. Often, it is right at their fingertips but because of spiritual short-sightedness, they give up when just a step further would have taken them into their harvest. The only way we can lose is to quit. That is the only decision we can make that can keep us from reaching God’s goal for our lives.
When we hold fast to the Word and will of God, we reap a greater reward. One of the reasons many people quit and give up on what they once believed was God’s will is: repeated blows, recurring challenges, and incessant attacks. When every attempt to get through is met with attacks, don’t succumb to the bait of Satan. The attacks are Satan’s attempt to kill your spirit and get you to give up. Jesus said, the things concerning me hath an end – every challenge has an expiry date. The fact that the enemy deal you unfair blows again and again is not an indication that God isn’t in your pursuit. Need I remind you of one common line in the experience of Job? That line reads: “while he was yet speaking.” In the series of Job’s attack, the enemy always spared someone to give him the bad news. In Job 1:16, while the messenger was yet speaking, another bad news came. In verse 17, while he was yet speaking, another evil was announced. In verse 18, while he was yet speaking, a messenger of bad news brought another. All these happened so that the enemy might kill his spirit and drain his passion to pursue purpose.
The good news is that Job didn’t quit. Though unfairly dealt, he continued and in due season he beat his own record of being the greatest man in the East. God made him twice greater. Remember Galatians 6:9 (NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. The key words there are “don’t be weary. Don’t give up” – even when it looks justifiable to. We are assured we will – not might, but we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Don’t quit! Like Isaac, keep digging your wells in the face of oppositions. Your next hit will sprout forth the waters of refreshing in Jesus name. I see you in your own Rehoboth – the land of abundant fruits.
n a wrestling or boxing challenge, it’s a common thing to be knocked down. The good news however is that a knocked down opponent sometimes end up winning the battle. If knocked down, get up. I once heard a preacher say, “If you’re not gaining ground, don’t lose ground.” How we respond to failure and mistake is one of the most important decisions we make every day. Failure doesn’t mean that nothing has been accomplished, it means you have discovered how not to do things. Throughout history, all great people at some points in their lives have failed. Anyone who is currently achieving something in life is simultaneously risking failure.
You’re never disappointed only if you don’t expect anything. If you do something and fail, you’re better off than someone who succeed in doing nothing. I would rather have a flawed diamond than a perfect brick. On four occasions in Revelation chapter 2 and other chapters of the book of Revelation, God said, “He that overcomes” will I give. Reward is only valuable at the end of a challenge. I’m so delighted God reserve the reward to the end because he won’t give up on you until you win. Your spiritual maturity comes-in in handling failures. The greater your degree of spiritual maturity, the greater the ability to get back up and move on. The less your spiritual maturity, the longer you hang on to past failures.
To this day, there are still some who are held back by mistakes made many years ago. God doesn’t see any of us as failures, He only sees us as learners. The key to being free from the stranglehold of past failures and mistake is “learn the lesson and forget the details.” Don’t you forget, ‘the devil is in the details’. Stop rolling over and over in your mind, the minutest details of your failures. God knows your weaknesses, limitations and failures before He called you. The call is higher than the fall.
We all live simultaneously on three distinct planes of being: spirit, soul and body. You are a spirit, you have an intellect (a soul) and you live in a physical body. The spiritual plane of thoughts is our highest potentials, the intellectual plane of ideas is the middle potential and the physical plane of result is the lowest potential. While many live and work from Things to Thoughts to Ideas i.e. physical to spiritual and then intellectual, the wise and great people work from the highest to lowest potential. What I mean is that, the wise work from Thoughts to Idea and to Physical (from the spirit to soul and to body). Those who work from the lowest potential to the highest, look at a result in their lives and let that result dictate the Thought they will use to build their Ideas. For example, if they see that their bank account is empty (which is a mere result), they will choose to think the thought of lack or loss and use that thought to build the idea of poverty. Since the idea they are holding in their minds must manifest in their future results, they bring about a repeat performance of the very thing which they say they don’t want – namely an empty account (Penury).
Switch from the lowest plane of what you presently see around you to the highest plane of Thought – of what God says about you and create the future you deserve. The highest plane of thought is the plane of faith. When the great artist Vincent Van Gogh was asked how he did such beautiful work, His reply, “I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.” In essence, he saw the picture first in his mind and then he made a replica of the original picture that he had in his mind. That means there has never been an original Van Gogh sold. Lincoln said, “To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.” You’re not poor because your account is in red, you’re not sick because your body ache or because you have a pain, you’re not a failure because of the poor result. You’re what God says you are. You’re 
rich, you’re strong, successful and prosperous. Since a great life begins with Thoughts, think on the Word of God. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). You are whom God says you are.
have addressed passion, persistence and perseverance as ingredients for fulfilling purpose. Today I’d like to talk about “People – your greatest blessing!” In Isaiah 14:32 (KJV), God’s Word says, “…none shall be alone in his appointed times.” God has so ordained it that one man’s vision is dependent on the vision of others. Even Jesus could not fulfil his earthly ministry until he had raised twelve (12) disciples. The Almighty God said in Genesis 1:26, “…Let us make…” Talking about teamwork , it’s revealed that when “…the people is one, and they have all one language; …nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do” (Genesis 11:6). Teamwork – they say makes the dream work! Man is a community animal, no one is an island and no one can survive alone. That is the reason each of us is a product of a family.
However, God has not given man dominion over fellow man. He gave man dominion over the earth, He said, “…the earth He has given to the sons of men” (Psalm 115:16). To enable each human being to have dominion in his or her own sphere of influence therefore, the Creator created every one of us unique. Each of us is distinct in our physical qualities, identities, and temperaments. We are different in our abilities, interest and gifting. These all coincide with His purpose for our lives. The best way to define a “TEAM” is that “Together Each Achieves More!” We are more fulfilled as a team.
In order for you to mobilize the right team to fulfil divine purpose, the key is still inspiration. J. Oswald Sanders said, “The ability to inspire others to serve and sacrifice is the mark of a true leader”. “Inspiration is the capacity to mobilize, activate, motivate, stimulate and cause others – (by your own character and vision) to initiate a change of their own priorities and participate in a corporate vision”.
Jesus’ lifestyle was worth emulating. His influence was so strong, he inspired his disciples and their lives were conformed to His’. The the world called them “Christians”, meaning little Christs. Inspiration is the foundation of true cooperation. When a leader conveys his vision, those who receive it become excited about participating because they see how their own purposes and visions find fulfilment in it. Participating in a corporate vision is not meant to give you vision – you should have your own vision to begin with. Your exposure to a corporate vision can stir up your personal vision as you discover a way to put your vision into practice through it.
Leadership is about inspiration not manipulation. Whenever you manipulate people, you are no longer a true leader – you have become a dictator. Be inspired enough to inspire others to find their purpose. Their fish, the scripture says, “…shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many” (Ezekiel 47:10). You produce your kinds! May the LORD give you men – faithful men. Either crude or refined or both – just faithful men because they shall be able.
You have been a great blessing to me, and I know that I have been of immense blessing to you – that’s why you like this post, and that’s why you are inspired to share it to bless others. PEOPLE ARE YOUR GREATEST BLESSING, TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT!
he three primary ingredients for fulfilling purpose are: “Passion, Persistence and Perseverance”, but Passion keeps the ball rolling for them all. Having discovered purpose, there must be the passion to fulfil the purpose. Passion is a burning fire that cannot be easily put out. Another word closely related to it is Zeal. Performance is impossible without it. In Isaiah 9:7, divine purpose was clearly stated out about Jesus, but for its fulfilment, it says, “…The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Zeal means passion for performance. Martin Luther King Jr said, “I submit to you that if a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live” – that is purpose.
Myles Munroe said, “Until you are willing to die for what you are living for, you cannot become a true leader” – that is passion. It is passion that makes you willing to die for what you’re living for. In Songs of Solomon 8:7, talking about passion, it says “many waters cannot quench it, the floods cannot drown it.” If you’re bored about your job, you would not be able to deliver to the peak of your potential. It takes passion to be innovative and persistent. Otherwise, you will soon get fired from the job.
If a couple aren’t passionate about being together anymore, the marriage is about to die. It’s all about passion. The death of the marriage begins with both of them living like inmates trying to get out of the prison. The cravings for freedom could birth infidelity – which may keep them apart forever. So, the solution? Get the flame back! As an entrepreneur, if the passion that started your business is lost, the business is near to its grave. You just have to get the flame back. It is passion that drives the fulfilment of a purpose.
Are you now indifferent about something you used to be passionate about? If you don’t get your flame back, that vision, that dream, that goal, that relationship, that business, that ministry, the future of that child, is at the brink of collapse. It won’t see the light of the day anymore. How do you do that? Passion comes from inspiration. The word “inspiration” means being in-spirited, that is, the spirit that drives the vision enters into you. Michelangelo was so involved in painting the Sistine Chapel that he went for weeks without changing his clothes, stopping only to get something to eat or take a brief period to sleep. It was passion driven by inspiration that delivered that all-time masterpiece to his hand.
THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
The first source of inspiration is God’s presence! Ezekiel 2:2 says, “And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet…” That is talking about inspiration to pursue purpose having spent sometimes in God’s presence and hearing from him. You need to revisit your prayer altar.
Secondly, inspiration also comes from what we see and hear. You need to get away. Go on holiday, seek a solitary place, walk around and see mind-boggling achievements that gingers you up. Accomplishments similar in nature to your purpose. Think on how to replicate or outdo what you see. When you target the moon, if you fall at all, you’ll end up a star. Above all, get an information about how the accomplishment was made possible. Jesus suggested this two to his team – Prayer and Holiday. In Mark 6:31, he said: “come with me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while…” May be you need a retreat, a holiday – to rejuvenate, re-energize and revive your dying passion.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly father forgive your trespasses”
od uses you forgiveness scale to measure out forgiveness to you. The more forgiving you are, the more forgiveness you find before God. The more judgemental you are, the more you’ll be judged. Unforgiveness is a chain that holds two or more people in bondage – the offender(s) and the offended. Nobody makes progress. The law of seed time and harvest works against the offender, nemesis catches up with him. The offended is in the sin of rebellion. Why rebellion? God said vengeance is mine and I will repay. So if you don’t let go but try to get even with those who offended you, you are trying to wear God’s shoes. Not only is it oversize, you are also in rebellion to His authority.
God’s Word says: “If ye forgive men not their trespasses neither will your father forgive your trespasses.” So get the key, unlock that chain and let it go – so that you can be free, as well as your captives. Unforgiveness is like a weight carried by an athlete. It does not only slow him down in the race of life, it drags him down as well. “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).” Messages condemning sin are very popular, but not much is said about “weight”. Unforgiveness is a weight! It slows you down.
You may say, “if only you know what that person did to me!” that may be true, but the question is: do you know what unforgiveness will do to you? Well, you’ve just found out. What really matters is what happens in us not what happens to us. . Unforgiveness does not hurt your enemy as much as it hurts you. It’s like you drinking a poison and expecting someone else to fall down and die. Unforgiveness beget bitterness, and bitterness contaminates the well spring of your joy like water with dregs. Bitterness is a deadly misuse of creativity flow from above.
Great amount of mental energy and brain power are used up to “get even”. This kind of thinking leaves you unproductive. So, forgive for your own sake. The best place you can be selfish is the place of forgiveness. When you do that, you free yourself. Never underestimate the power of forgiveness to loose and free you to accomplish your goal and fulfil your calling. Forgiveness is the power you have over a person who slandered, criticized, or offended you. When you forgive you show the offender that you are stronger than him/her. Get some wind on your wings and fly. Just forgive and free yourself.
he next on my list of Kingdom giants and blessings to our world is: Henry Parsons Crowell, if you’ve never heard of that name before, you certainly must have heard of Quaker Oats. Henry Parsons Crowell founded Quaker Oats and was an extraordinary Christian businessman who funded many Christian initiatives, including the Moody Bible Institute. Henry Crowell, while yet a young man, heard a sermon by D.L Moody. He made a remarkable commitment to the Lord. He said, “I can’t be a preacher, but I can be a good businessman.” He prayed, “If you would let me make money, I will use it in your service.” Having tried his hands on the sale of horses, while seeking the Lord’s counsel as to his next move, his uncle suggested he look into purchasing the Quaker Mill. The two previous owners had lost their shirts with that 
oat mill but his uncle urged Henry to research the matter even still. At the time, oats were considered horse food, but Henry saw where rolled oats from the Quaker mill could become a part of America’s breakfast table. In 1881, Henry bought Quaker Mill and immediately hired an operations person to handle the mill while Henry focused his time and energy on creating a market for his rolled oats. Despite much hard work, Quaker Mill was struggling. Henry brought his business problems to the Lord, something that was very unusual at that time in Christianity. An idea came to him that changed breakfast tables forever. Not only did he faithfully tithe, it was reported that Henry Crowell gave far beyond the tithe, and funded the Lord’s work for over forty years. I dare you check a major store nearby, Quaker Oats is still standing. When you put the Lord first, he gives you an enduring heritage.
4) John D Rockefeller Sr: John D. Rockefeller was the very first person to reach the status of billionaire. He was popularly quoted to have said, “God gave me my money. I believe the power to make money is a gift from God to be developed and used to the best of our ability; for the good of mankind” He also said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary which was One dollar, fifty cent ($1.50) per week.” John D. Rockefeller was a founder, chairman and a major 
shareholder of Standard Oil which was the most feared and powerful monopoly in American business history. The United States Supreme Court ruling in 1911 that Standard Oil was an illegal monopoly led to the dissolution of the Standard Oil trust into 34 smaller companies. Rockefeller became the richest man in the world, as the initial income of these individual enterprises proved to be much bigger than that of Standard Oil – a single larger company. Its successors such as ExxonMobil or Chevron are still among the companies with the largest income worldwide. He’s long gone to be with the Lord, yet these Companies wax stronger and stronger with his shares intact and their impact touching the nations of the world. Obsessed with the business of oil, he mastered every detail, developed new products to sell, even using the waste to create products like petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline). It was also the research of John D. Rockefellers’ foundation that led to the discovery of Penicillin. Beside the strong Oil and gas conglomerates, every time you see Vaseline and Penicillin, remember John D. Rockefeller. He was indeed a “joy of many generations”. It is my prayer tha God will make you an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations (Isaiah 60:15). Watch out for the concluding part of this post.
goodtidingshour 